PM said MPs should avoid airing their views on every other issue. He emphasised that BJP MPs shouldn't rent out their official accommodation. Not only is this against rules, it can also lead to misuse of house & bring a bad name to party.

NEW DELHI: Do not touch my feet or indulge in sycophancy, don't rent out your official accommodation to anybody, check the credentials of the people who call on you and do your homework before coming to Parliament. These were some of the guidelines given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to BJP MPs.

At the first parliamentary party meeting of BJP in the 16th Lok Sabha held in the Central Hall of Parliament on Friday, Modi told the MPs that their first priority should be their constituency and they should spend most of their energy in working for its betterment.

"Become the spokesperson of your constituency instead of speaking on every issue to the media each time a mike is thrust on you," a BJP MP quoted Modi as saying.

The PM said MPs should avoid airing their views on every other issue. He emphasised that the BJP MPs should not rent out their official accommodation. Not only is this against the rules, it can also lead to misuse of the flat or the house and bring a bad name to the party. He also said MPs should be wary of who they are meeting or visiting and who all call on them.

In the 14th Lok Sabha, some BJP MPs were caught in the "cash-forquery" sting operation which were conducted in their homes by teams posing as visitors wanting their questions to be put up in Parliament.

"Similarly, MPs should not allow outsiders and relatively unknown people to use their official phones as this may lead to misuse," Modi said. The first-time MPs were told to leave the first three rows in the House for ministers and also maintain discipline and decorum in Parliament.

"Be attentive and attend the House regularly like good students," a BJP MP said, quoting the PM. "I met with all the ministers. Then I met the secretaries working for the government. Now I will meet the party MPs," Modi said.

Most party MPs are impressed that Modi has returned their calls whenever they have tried to reach out to him to discuss problems. Senior BJP leader LK Advani, Rajnath Singh and Venkaiah Naidu also addressed the MPs. "Advani also underlined the dos and don'ts and spoke on the need for maintaining discipline."